Mazda RX-8 (2006) vs. Chevrolet Malibu (2017) Specs

vs.

◆

2006 Mazda RX-8 and 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Specifications

Model Year	2006	2017
Model	Mazda RX-8	Chevrolet Malibu
Engine	1.3L R2 OHV-2v 238 hp@8500 159 lb-ft@5500	turbocharged 2.0L I4 DOHC-4v 250 hp@5300 260 lb-ft@2000
Transmission	6-speed manual	9-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain	RWD	FWD
Body	4dr Coupe	4dr Sedan
			Difference
Wheelbase	106.4 in	111.4 in	-5 in
Length	174.3 in	193.8 in	-19.5 in
Width	69.7 in	73.0 in	-3.3 in
Height	52.8 in	57.7 in	-4.9 in
Curb Weight	3045 lb.	3388 lb.	-343 lb.
Fuel Capacity	15.9 gal.	13.0 gal.	2.9 gal.
Headroom, Row 1	38.2 in	39.1 in	-0.9 in
Shoulder Room, Row 1	54.8 in	58.5 in	-3.7 in
Hip Room, Row 1	53.3 in	54.1 in	-0.8 in
Legroom, Row 1	42.7 in	42.0 in	0.7 in
Headroom, Row 2	36.8 in	37.5 in	-0.7 in
Shoulder Room, Row 2	54.9 in	57.1 in	-2.2 in
Hip Room, Row 2	48.1 in	53.4 in	-5.3 in
Legroom, Row 2	32.2 in	38.1 in	-5.9 in
Total Legroom	74.9 in (over 2 rows)	80.1 in (over 2 rows)	-5.2 in
Cargo Volume	7.6 ft³	15.8 ft³	-8.2 ft³

2006 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2007	4dr Coupe 212-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD	Excellent for long trips. Even though I suffer from spinal stenosis, I did a two-day 1800 mile trip with no troubles and felt great on arrival. Most modern cars have comfortable seats, but these also make me feel like I am part of the car. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2006	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Rear seats are functional for adults, which is unique for a sports car. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Adults my height (5-9) can actually fit in the back seat of the RX-8. And getting in and out is aided by a second set of rear-hinged doors. Other sports cars have no rear seat or a very small one. see full Mazda RX-8 review
2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Unlike most sports cars, the RX-8 has a rear seat that adults can get into (using rear doors) and fit into. see full Mazda RX-8 review

2006 Mazda RX-8 Seat Room and Comfort: Cons
Year	Body/Powertrain	Comment
2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Head room is low with sunroof see full Mazda RX-8 review
2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	Ok for small women and children. Not really made for full sized male adults see full Mazda RX-8 review
2005	4dr Coupe 238-horsepower 1.3L R2 6-speed manual RWD	it is POSSIBLE to fit an adult in the back...but really anyone over 10-12 years old will be uncomfortable. see full Mazda RX-8 review

2017 Chevrolet Malibu Seat Room and Comfort: Pros
Year	Comment
2016	Chevrolet's designers styled the new Malibu's instrument panel to appear low and out of the way, such that the front seat feels especially roomy and the view forward seems more open than in most competitors, including the Kia (the instrument panel in which seems significantly higher and more imposing). In the tested car, which had every option except the panoramic sunroof, headroom was so abundant I could have worn a fedora. The Kia Optima might have as much front headroom when similarly without a sunroof. The official specs, which often don't reflect real world differences, suggest it should have even more than the Malibu. But you cannot get a highly equipped Optima without the sunroof, as it's part of a large package on the SX and standard on the SX Limited. Though the Malibu's windshield is relatively large, you won't find outward visibility among the reasons to buy one. The Chevrolet's front pillars remain on the thick side, its instrument panel is considerably deeper than the Kia's, and the view to the sides and rear also could be more open. In the Optima, the view to the sides is more open but that to the rear is not. I did find the Cherolet's front seats more form-fitting and comfortable than the Optima's. The Kia's quilted seats aren't as cushy as they appear. see full Chevrolet Malibu review

None of our members have yet commented on the seat room and comfort of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu.

See TrueDelta's information for all Coupes

See TrueDelta's information for all Mazda models.